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Around Hear: The Agora's Got Some Life

And more local music news

The Agora (5000 Euclid Ave.) comes back to life Monday, April 26. Welsh metal legends Budgie will headline a show in the theater. After the concert, the venue will resume booking regular shows.

Owner Henry "Hank" LoConti is still operating the venue, which has a fresh coat of paint. Akron-area resident Steve Neal is now booking the ballroom and theater.

In the '80s, Neal booked Cleveland metal bands like Shok Paris and Jagged Edge in Rubber City bingo halls. The Agora will host small shows and big acts like Mushroomhead. But Neal is trying to lure an older crowd who remember the Agora in its glory days. The venue will offer cheap beer, clean bathrooms, and hospitality for bands and fans.

"What makes [hair-metal festival] Rocklahoma better than a venue in your home town?" says Neal. "The way the treat you. It's not a rock concert any more. It's a rock experience."

The Budgie show starts at 7 p.m.; tickets $25. The Rick Ray Band opens.

Pink Floyd tribute band Wish You Were Here headlines House of Blues (308 Euclid Ave.) on Saturday, May 1. The group will play Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety, preceded by its first entire performance of 1972's Obscured by Clouds.

"It's an album that the hardcore fans have been asking us to perform for years," says singer-bassist Eroc Sosinski. "It was recorded at the same time as Dark Side. It's got some great songs."

Wish You Were Here, one of the city's top concert draws, are planning a big summer show, but Sosinski has no details yet. He and bandmate Jim Tigue will also spend much of the summer playing Erie islands shows with the Colin Dussault Trio.

Doors 8 p.m.; tickets $16.50 advance, $18 day of show.

The J. Mann Band plays Peabody's (2045 E. 21st St.) on Saturday, May 1. Members of the Spudmonsters and Pitch Black Forecast will back Mann (Jason Popson) on songs from his different groups, including Mushroomhead, Unified Culture, and In Cold Blood. Doors 7 p.m.; tickets $8 advance, $10 day of show.

The Nine Inch Nails concert film Another Version of the Truth screens in Massillon on Saturday, April 24. See Scene's film section for more details.